Visits to beauty spots around Hamilton were a feature as were “picture entertainments”. I wonder if that included films of “Beauty Spots” as proposed in the following article. Such a film was discussed during a meeting of the National Roads Association who were looking at development of roads through the Grampians to enhance tourism . The film would be a way to show off the area and reinforce that good roads were necessary throughout the Grampians. The “Back to Hamilton” celebrations were an opportunity to screen it.

Crowds gathered in the Hamilton Botanic Gardens to listen to band recitals in the bandstand on Sunday February 25. On the following Tuesday, children gathered in the gardens for sports.

BANDSTAND, HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENS

Councillor Noske spoke to the gathering declaring “Hamilton was destined to become a great town” and the council’s focus was on closer settlement. A parade was held on the Tuesday afternoon which included Thomas Cawker of Casterton driving a four-in-hand coach, old pioneers his passengers.

It was during the following year, 1924, when a committee formed to organize a “Back to Horsham”, gave some clue how such a big profit came about. While a similar event in Stawell was mostly subsidized, Hamilton visitors incurred charges for many events, including a trip to a dry Wannon Falls.